Roadworks end in time for Easter

Maureen Ferrier

Just in time for Easter weekend, the major roadworks on the A91 at Guardbridge are to be completed.

Traffic lights on the main road between Cupar and St Andrews are likely to be removed later today (Friday).

And work on Guardbridge’s Main Street is now expected to finish next week – a week ahead of schedule.

The announcement came just days after St Andrews University had confirmed that the pipe laying work that had caused the closure of Main Street and restrictions on the A91 were on schedule.

Temporary traffic lights have been in place since February 15 as part of pipe laying work for the £25 million Green Energy Centre being built by the university at the former paper mill at Guardbridge.

Now contractors are working night and day to reinstate the road surface to reopen the road.

Ashley Walsh, contracts manager for contractors Vital Energi, said: “Pipe laying work at Guardbridge and across the River Eden involves four separate phases and was scheduled to take eight weeks.

“Due to 24 hour, seven-day working we have been able to complete the phases on the A91 two weeks ahead of schedule and therefore will be able to remove the temporary traffic lights on the night of Friday 25 March.

“Work on the remaining section in Main Street Guardbridge is progressing well and is slightly ahead of schedule. Traffic diversions will remain in operation until the road through Guardbridge reopens, which we are anticipating will be towards the end of next week, all being well.”

Professor Verity Brown, Vice-Principal (Enterprise and Engagement) at the University of St Andrews, said: “It is great news that traffic restrictions on the Cupar–St Andrews Road are going to be lifted in time for the Easter weekend, making it easier and quicker for people travelling to and from St Andrews.

“Vital Energi have done a tremendous job completing this part of the operation early.

“We appreciate that the roadworks have caused disruption to residents in Guardbridge and the surrounding areas and to commuters. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience and forbearance.”